Sharper was arrested in January on suspicion of rape in Los Angeles and has been free on bond, pending trial there. Orleans Parish prosecutors found cause to charge Sharper -- and an acquaintance -- with two counts of aggravated rape stemming from an alleged incident in the Warehouse District last September.

When that warrant was issued, law enforcement agents in Los Angeles took Sharper back into custody. Terms of his earlier release on bond required him to stay in the immediate area, and reports indicate he surrendered himself voluntarily.

WDSU has learned that Sharper will appear before a judge in Southern California -- likely early next week -- where he will be given the opportunity to oppose extradition to Louisiana. If he does not, Sharper is expected to be escorted by Orleans Parish authorities back to New Orleans.

That could happen by mid-week.

A judge in New Orleans would set bond during a court appearance. Because the charges in Louisiana carry a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole, it is possible that the bond amount will exceed the $1 million set in California.

If Sharper does not post bond, he will be held at Orleans Parish Prison.

Prosecutors in both states will likely be in close contact in the weeks and months ahead as both cases make their way through the justice system.

Matters could be complicated further if authorities in Nevada, Arizona or Florida file charges against Sharper.

ASSAULT INVESTIGATION AGAINST FORMER NEW ORLEANS SAINT DARREN SHARPER ... THIS MAN.. ERIK NUNEZ.. ACCUSED OF RAPING TWO WOMEN WITH SHARPER LAST SEPTEMBER IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.. HAS BEEN ORDERED TO BE HELD WITHOUT BOND. PROSECUTORS SAY HE'S A FLIGHT RISK.. AND THE JUDGE AGREED. ANOTHER HEARING FOR NUNEZ.. WILL BE HELD MARCH 7TH. AND.. DARREN SHARPER.. TURNED HIMSELF INTO AUTHORITIES IN LOS ANGELES YESTERDAY... WDSU REPORTER TRAVERS MACKEL WITH DETAILS.. ON THE INVESTIGATIONS... THAT KEEP GROWING. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE SEX ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DARREN